Governor Maura Healey highlighted a significant achievement in Massachusetts' healthcare landscape during her visit to St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River. Addressing the community, she emphasized the state's successful efforts to save jobs and maintain healthcare stability amid the bankruptcy of Stewart Healthcare. "As governor, I took it as my responsibility to make sure that we were doing everything that we could to save jobs, to protect patients, and protect the stability of the health care market," Healey stated.

Massachusetts has been recognized as a leader in healthcare, education, and innovation, and Healey underscored the collective commitment to ensuring access to affordable healthcare as a right. "We lead for a reason," she said, praising the dedication of healthcare workers and local officials who rallied to protect 13,000 jobs statewide, including 1,500 at St. Anne's.

The governor credited the collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Department of Public Health and healthcare unions, for the successful outcome. "It took an incredible amount of hard work and perseverance," she noted, acknowledging the role of Brown University Health in ensuring quality care moving forward.

Healey also addressed ongoing challenges, including the need to lower healthcare costs and tackle disparities in access based on race and geography. "We can drive down housing costs and work on making health care more affordable," she affirmed, while celebrating the achievements made through teamwork and dedication.

As she concluded her remarks, Healey expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals at St. Anne's and across the state, reinforcing the message that Massachusetts remains committed to being the best state for healthcare in the nation.